RN Ravi IPS: A Hero He Was In Alappuzha - Journalist’s Post After Supreme Court Ruling (X image @RajBhavanKohima)
R N Ravi, the Tamil Nadu Governor has been grabbing headlines for a long time for the standoff with the state government. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that Ravi’s decision to withhold assent to ten key bills for the consideration of the President in November last year was “illegal” and “arbitrary”.
After the latest controversy, several came forward slamming the governor for the treatment of Tamil Nadu. Recently, on his Facebook page, Kerala journalist KA Saifudeen recalled how Ravi as a former IPS officer was, while he was serving as the District Police Chief (Superintendent of Police) of Kerala’s Alappuzha district. He said it was pathetic to watch once respected and dignified personalities reduced to “dogs licking their master’s leg”.
Also Read: “Illegal”: Supreme Court’s Landmark Verdict On Governor’s Powers In Tamil Nadu Case
Sharing how brave and courageous Ravi was, the journalist observed that it is amusing to watch how dignified personalities leave everything behind, pushing one to wonder what kind of life they led so far. He said in the post, if looked closely, “a wagging tail has been growing constantly behind them.”
“The reason for saying this now is the Supreme Court’s verdict that has shaken the Tamil Nadu Governor. Those who know Governor Ravi was once like will surely feel sorry for or mock at his current situation…especially Alappuzha people,” the post written in Malayalam read.
R.N. Ravi, an IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, served as the Superintendent of Police of Alappuzha District from 1984 to 1986. A native of Patna, he was a brilliant officer who radically transformed the police system in Alappuzha. He implemented many reforms along with K.B. Hameed, who was the District Collector at that time. Any one can meet him even at the wee hours of night, journalist wrote. He was the first to set up complaint boxes in Alappuzha city to receive people’s complaints. “The complaints received were properly addressed,” he said.
He said Ravi was an official who did not yield to the any whims of the politicians.
“Congress leaders themselves have said that R.N. Ravi was an officer who stood up to even the then Home Minister, Vayalar Ravi. There was also a popular story at the time that once, while he was taking the Home Minister, whose vehicle had broken down, into his car, Ravi had told an extremely arrogant political leader who tried to get in with him that he was only allowed to take the minister in his car,” Saifudeen narrated.
Alappuzha people still remember the time when Ravi was Superintendent, the criminal activities were at their lowest, reads the post.
When Ravi was leaving for Deputation in CBI in Delhi, the farewell given to him lasted for 1 hour. He was that popular among the people, Saifudeen recollects. “Though Tomin J. Thachankary tried to imitate Ravi, he only did some show-offs in the Suresh Gopi style”, he said.
Also Read: P Chidambaram Reacts To TN Governor RN Ravi: “Having Draped Tiruvalluvar With A Saffron Robe”
Alappuzha residents are surprised to learn that the same Ravi, who was known as a police officer with dignity and self-respect and who would not bow down to anyone, became the governor of Nagaland and later Tamil Nadu.
“We see Chief Justices who have left the Supreme Court and become governors. They are being used against the administration of states that do not submit to the interests of the central government as much as possible. They, in turn, are ready to crawl to the bottom of hell,” Saifudeen observed.
The journalist ended his post by citing late Malayalam actor Murali’s character in the movie King, “If a man with spine goes bad, there is no scumbag nastier than him”.
Ravi took over as Tamil Nadu Governor in 2021. Tensions have been present between him and the MK Stalin-led state government for a long time. While the DMK government accused Ravi of acting like a BJP spokesperson and blocking bills and appointments, the Governor said that the Constitution empowers him to withhold his assent to legislation.
